New Years Eve Pet Safety Tips at Ark Animals

Author
Diana L. Guerrero encourages pet safety during celebrations such
as New Years Eve. Pets who suffer from noise phobia have a hard time during this noisy holiday. Learn
pet safety tips for New Years Eve. as animal expert, Diana L. Guerrero
shares holiday hints for a pet safe New Years Eve.

Animal Expert Shares New Years Eve Pet Safety Tips

As New Years Eve approaches, it is important to encourage pet
owners to prepare for their pets' sake--and safety. The loud noises
during this holiday traumatize many animals during the holiday
celebrations. Fireworks, aircraft, and other related racket may
turn pets into a quivering mass of jelly, or have them bolt as
a result of their fright; they may also be destructive to the
home, or even worse, to themselves.

There are ways to desensitize a pet to fireworks and related
noise, but it takes time and preplanning. If this holiday is right
around the corner, there are a couple of things owners can do
to assist their pets through this short period of potential trauma.

Author and animal behaviorist, Diana L. Guerrero said, "First
people have to understand that 'comforting' their pet, although
done with good intentions, can actually reinforce the fear and
panic. You could call it 'training by accident' so it is best
to refrain from that activity."

She clarified, "Reassuring your pet is different from the
cuddling, petting, holding, and trying to physically relieve the
stress. It is best to soothe your pet by your tone of voice and
by remaining calm. My students are taught to use key phrases to
alert the pet to inappropriate behavior first, then they encourage
calm acceptable behavior from the pet." The age of your pet,
socialization, experience, and breed can also influence their
reactions.

The best preparations, that you can use at such short notice,
is to make sure that your pet has ID tags with current information
on them, and that they are safely secured both before and through
the holiday period.

Guerrero suggests a few other quick temporary options:

crate your pet at home

kennel the pet professionally

keep the pet confined/restrained indoors

use drug therapy (tranquilizers/anti-anxiety
medications as prescribed from your veterinarian)

use alternative therapy (your holistic veterinarian
or therapist will provide a list)

play classical music or jazz to soothe pets
and camouflage other noises

Ideally your home environment is the best holding area for your
pet. It is suggested that you put your animal in a quiet room
or into a crate. Guerrero said, "Confinement or crates serve
as a 'den' for your pet and will help them to feel more secure--if
this is trained right and done gradually there is a good association
with the confinement. Even without advance preparation they can
be good tools for emergencies."

Long periods alone in a crate should be avoided. Some dogs will
not like being confined if you do this too quickly and many will
protest by howling, whining, barking, and pitching a fit.
If you have the time, it is best to gradually train pets to "crate."
Put food or a treat in the kennel with the door secured in an
open position.

Later, work at closing the door for a few seconds and praising
them for staying in confinement quietly. Gradually lengthen the
time spent in the crate with you there, and then with you leaving

the room. Guerrero suggests, "Crates that contain solid
sidings with air vents work better than the wire ones. Wire crates
tend to be more open and feel less secure and your pet could damage
their teeth on them more easily."

If you are using a room in the home, the best one to restrain
an animal in is the bathroom, laundry room, or secure garage.
The room to choose is one where there are no windows to jump through,
or where they can be blocked off, and are too high and narrow
to access.

Guerrero said, "Also try to darken the room and crate. Be
sure to play soothing music at a level that helps drown out the
firework noise. It is ideal if a family member can be at home
with the animal through this time. These are the types of things
that will help most pets feel more secure and calm."

Before the holiday, be aware that fireworks may be set off before
dark. Keep your dog on a leash when toileting, and make sure that
your pets have on a secure collar with the name and phone number
of the veterinarian, and owners. Put your pets "to bed"
early before celebrations and the fireworks start.

Always check with your veterinarian and behavior specialist before
using any drugs or tranquilizers, and don't forget to watch out
for guests opening doors up which can provide an opportunity for
animals to bolt outdoors.

For further help, Guerrero encourages you to contact your veterinarian
or your local animal behavior specialist prior to the holiday.